Mexborough and Swinton Times January 27, 1928
The Fourth!
Wombwell still on the New Leaf
Wombwell 4 Newark 1
Wombwell: A.Smith Bamforth, Brewin ; Brown, Galloway, Sanderson; Fisher, Bradford, Rushton, Brunt, J.Smith.
Newark Staples; Woolley, Whitworth; Dovey, Hart, Challoner; Briggs, Newman, Whitton, Gascoigne-, Copley.
Referee: W Mason, York
Two goals in the first ten minutes and two goals in the last ten minutes was the order of things at Hough Lane on Saturday when Wombwell achieved their fourth consecutive win and continued their all-conquering career of 1928
The return half of the Midland. League ticket seem to have a charm for them. Seven wins stood to their credit before the match with York yesterday and. three of them were gained since January came in. Every club has its ups and downs but this revival is out of the ordinary. I doubt whether the club have ever before gained four consecutive Midland League wins—certainly not during the last three League seasons.
The score on Saturday scarcely showed their superiority. There were periods when Newark were completely subdued and their goal was a shooting gallary; particularly during the first ten minutes of the game and in a lesser degree in the closing stages, In the intervening period Newark kept their end up fairly well but there was never a doubt about the result.
Wombwell had to make important team changes. There were two notable absentees, Dr. Gordon. and Pennington. Dr. Gordon was tied by professional duties, and Pennington was hooked for a run with The Wednesday. The club dealt with the contingencies, by putting the halfback, Dick Rushton, at centre-forward, and Bamforth, another half, at right back. Brown was introduced into the half-back line after several weeks absence through an injury.
There On the whole the changes: worked satisfactorily: certainly no better arrangement could have been made with the players available. Rushton lacked the finer touches of Dr. Gordon but made up in other ways. He missed many good chances but he got home two good shots. As a back Bamforth (picture) was an unqualified success. He tackled well and was always in position. He and Brewin worked well together, chiefly through the grip they kept on the Newark attack. Albert Smith had little to do. Once or twice he had to clear in a hurry but there was none of the spectacular diving and curling he has had to to in recent games. It was his .easiest afternoon for some time.
The halves are not yet as strong as they might be and Wombwell do need a centre half. This having been said I might compliment Charlie Sanderson. He has improved greatly.
The game started at a. rattling pace and within 10 minutes Wombwell were two up. Both goals were scored by RUSHTON from centres by J. Smith. Newark’s offside tactics baffled Smith but he soon got wise to the game. When the damage had been done Newark saw the wisdom of changing methods. The Wombwell wingers played delightful football all through. Fisher showed great form in the second half. After 15 minutes WHETTON reduced the lead.
From that point till the last quarter hour Wombwell had only that precarious lead. Immediately after the interval Newark attacked with vigour but finished weakly. BRADFORD put Wombwell further ahead with a left foot shot from Fisher’s centre, and J. SMITH got the fourth goal. During the game Whitworth was knocked insensible when heading the ball—and the ball burst!